Horn ring article holding means



F. N. MARIAN! HORN RING ARTICLE HOLDING MEANS Filed 001;. 23, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORN EY Oct. 10, 1944. F, R I 2,359,771

HORN RING ARTICLE HOLDING MEANS Filed Oct. 23, 1940 2 Shets-Sheet 2 Z9 74 Y 66 /12 54 M 1 III; I I

INVENTOR ATTo RNEY Patented Oct. 10, 1944 UNiEp STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,359,771 norm RING aa'rrcm nonpmo means Frank N. Mariani, New York, N. Y. Application October 23, 1940, Serial No. 362,481

24 Claims. (01. zoo-19.5)

The present invention deals with article holding means positioned within convenient reach of an automobile driver and within the steering wheel controlled by the driver. The object of the invention is to utilize the horn ring of an automotive device for rendering accessible the articles normally concealed by the holding means. Other important objects, functional and structural advantages and features. of the in.- vention will appear from the following detailed description considered in the light of the acoompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a. perspective view of the horn ring controlled article holding means showing the swingable closure lid open.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary but enlarged view of Fig. 1 illustrating the operating mechanism for controlling the swingable lid of the article holder and illustrating the depressible and rotatable segmental horn ring in its normal retracted position and the closure lid in section and in a closed and locked relation.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, however illustrating the swiveled horn ring shifted in a clockwise direction for actuating the controlling mechanism to release the closure lid now shown.

open.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view on the line 44 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 Is a horizontal sectional view on the line 55 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the .line of I Fig. 5.

' Fig. 5.

Fig. 10 is a view taken on the line Ill-l0 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 11 is a back view of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view of Fig. 5.

Fig. 13 is a plan view of the casing of the article holding means shown in Fig. 3 however with the lid thereof removed to illustrate the receptacle, and

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary side view of the casing. According to the invention, article holding means generally denoted A is controlled by a segmental depressible and swiveled horn ring R mounted concentrically within the steering wheel W rotatably sustained at the upper end of the inclined post P to which is keyed in any appropriate manner against relative rotation thereto the nipple projecting from the hollowhub integrally merged with the radially arranged spokes |2 of the steering wheel W.

Rigidly secured within the socket or bore |4 (Figs. 5 and 7) of the hub II is substantially cylindrical cup I5 provided at its upper end with the inwardly overhanging flange l6 interrupted by the relatively deep notches l1 and the relatively narrow notches l8 (Fig. 7), the deep notches |1 serving to initially position and receive the depending feet l3 having the laterally extending lugs 20. The feet l9 depend from the yieldably mounted rotatable disc shaped support or hearing 2| having an interrupted annular flange 22 (Figs. 4 and 5) confining the upper end of the,he1iocoidal spring 23 interposed between the upper and lower relatively thin metal washers 23 and 23 held within the annular flange 22 and seated on the bottom wall of cup l5 respectively, the arrangement being such that when the depending feet IQ of the bearing 2| are received by the deep notches H, the locking lugs 20 thereof may be shifted downwardly below the spaced lips 24 of the interrupted flange lb of the cup l5 and against the resistance of the helicoidal spring 23 after which the bearing 2| is bodily rotated clockwise whereby lugs 20 are directly under lips 24 and yieldingly interlock therewith by reason of the inherent tendency of I the spring 23 to expand, thus preventing accidental reverse bodily rotation of the bearing 2| which of course may be disconnected from the hub of the driving wheel if desired upon deliberate counterclockwise rotation, shifting the locking lugs 20 to be free of lips 24 and into the deep notches 24 thus permitting withdrawal of the bearing from the hub.

. Rotatably mounted on the bearing 2| is the segmental horn ring R having the annular hub 25 provided with the cylindrical bore 23 rotatably guided by the upstanding annular flange 2'! of the bearing pending from, the lower wall 29 of the hollow I cylindrical casing 30 of the article holder'A provided with the closure plate or cap 3| carrying the depending internally threaded nipples or studs 32 (Fig. 6) disposed within the rim 33 of the casing 30 and cooperating with the threaded screws 34 to securely hold the positioning shoulder 35 closely but removably within rim 33 and the marginal shoulder 36 of cap 3| against the upper face 31 of rim 33, the arrangement being such that when the clamping screws 34 in as- 2| and the cylindrical boss 28 de-"' sembly are passed through aperture 38 in hub of the horn ring, these screws are adjusted so that cap 3| is firmly retained in position against the rim 33 although at all times hub 25 is free of the heads of these screws to allow rotation of the ring R relative to the casing and to the bearing 2|.

Extending upwardly from hub 25 and fixed thereto are the spaced pins 39 and 40. These pins project respectively through the arcuate slots 4| and 42 in the bottom wall 29 of the casing 30 and are rotatably displaceabl relative to these slots during rotation of the horn ring.

Normally pin 39 is away from the upper end of slot 4| due to the action of the normally compressed helicoidal spring 43 which has its coiled ends appropriately anchored to themovably guided pin 39 extending from hub 25 and to fixed pin 44 projecting upwardly from the bottom wall 29 of the casing 30. 1'

However the movably guided pin (Fig. 2) is normally in front of the intermediate portion of the arcuate tail 45 of the latch or dog 46 pivoted on the set screw pin 41 threadably fastened to post 41' (Figs. 5 and 12) projecting from the bottom wall 29 of the casing 30. The nose 48 of the pivoted latch 46 is normally urged in a clockwise direction by the offset or crank portion 49 of inner curved leg 50 of the resilient wire one piece hairpin spring 5| having its intermediate portion coiled about and retained on the upper end of the fulcrum pin 41 and having its outer curved leg 52 (Fig. 2) continuously engaging the inner surface of the rim 33 of the casing 30.

Integral with the bottom wall 29 and with the rim 33 of the casing 30 are the spaced transversely arranged vertical ribs 54 and the transversely disposed horizontal rib or seat 55 which ribs in the assembled relation of the cap 3| and casing 30 define therewith a hollow receptacle adapted to receive a suitable carton, for example, a package of cigarettes 56 (Fig. 5) adapted to be seated on the horizontal rib 55 and having its sides 51 interposed between the spaced transverse ribs 54 whereby the front and rear walls 58 of the cigarette carton or package are removably although closely confined between the cap 3| and hollow wall 29 of the casing.

With the packages of cigarettes positioned in the receptacle of the casing 30 as described, the upper portion of the package is torn off to expose the cigarettes 59 and these project beyond the upper rectilinear seat or rim 60 (Fig. 1) defined by the bottom wall 29 of the casing 30, the closure plate 3|, and the rim 33 of the casing 30, thus rendering accessible the cigarettes after the swingable lid or closure means 6| has been opened. This lid may be said to be complemental to the casing 30, thus together defining a hollow cylindrical body. The cover 6| which includes the spaced sides 62 and thetarcuate closure wall 63 is pivotally sustained on the fixed fulcrum pin 64 retained in the alined ears 65 projecting from the horizontal transverse rib 66 integrally merged with one of the vertical ribs 54 and the circular rim 33.

Pivotally or rotatably mounted on fulcrum pin 64 and straddling ears 8-5 of the swingable lid 6| are the ears 61. In the lid, ears 61 depend H of the opening 69. However as the lid is moved towards the end of its closing position the curved inner surface 12 of the lid serves as a cam, causing the nose 48 to tilt counterclockwise in opening 13 of the rib or brace 14 integral with one of the vertical ribs 54 and the rim 33 and against the energy crank 49 of spring arm 50 until thenose 48 passes the cam surface 12 at which time, the sprin arm 50 releases its energy, automatically causing nose 48 to be held in engagement with. the bottom face or wall H of opening 69. It follows that this closure lid is held closed under spring tension of the hair pin spring 50 but against the resistance of spring 11 having its central portion coiled about fulcrum pin 64 on ,wti'i' ars 81 are pivoted and having its upper spiing arm 18 disposed in slot or groove I9 interrupting block 69. The spring arm 18 constantly bears against the curved surface 19 of slot 19 although the other arm of this spring is retained in a suitable groove 80' in the shelf or rib 66.

With the lid closed, the pivoted latch 46 may be actuated for its disengagement from the lid 6|. For this purpose the rotatable horn ring R ma be slightly rotated in a clockwise direction from its normal position shown in Fig. 2 to its position illustrated in Fig. 3. It should be understood that ring R rotates relative to the depending boss 28 of the casing A and the annular flange 21 of the bearing 2|, the latter and the boss 28 being appreciably fastened together by the screws 8| whereby the boss 28 is seated on flange 21 (Fig. 5) and both of the latter rotatably guide the hub 25 of the horn ring or sound control means R.

Where the swingable lid is closed and if the hom ring be displaced in a clockwise direction upon the application of a finger thrust thereon, the movably guided pins and 40 are likewise shifted in a clockwise direction. Thus two functions occur. One, spring 43 becomes distended. Two, pin 40 actuates latch 46, thereby causing nose 48 to become free of opening 69 whereupon spring arm 18 automatically opens the cover or lid 6| until faces 8| between the swingable ears 61 of the lid 6| strike the arcuate cars 65 extending from the casing, thus limiting the extent of the opening of the lid. Of course with the lid open the cigarettes in the receptacle of the casing 30 become readily accessible (Fig. 1).

The lid 6| is held in its fully opened relation by the spring arm 18 even though manual or finger pressure has been removed from the horn ring in which instant spring 43 contracts, hence automatically but rotatably restoring the horn ring counterclockwise to its normal position shown in Fig. 2. However where the horn ring is actuated for opening the lid from its closed and latched position, rotation thereof in a clockwise direction is limited by reason of the pin 40 striking the lower end of the slot 42 (Fig. 3) and pursuant thereto where manual or finger pressure is removed from the horn ring, the latter automatically retracts toits normal position as stated before due to the recoil action of spring 43 but such retraction is limited by pin 40 striking the upper end of slot 42.

It will be observed that the hub 25 when actuated is also against and rotates relative to the bottom wall 29 of the casing 30 and the upper portion 82 thereof extends above wall 29 and into the arcuate groove 83 of the arcuate lug 84 projecting from the swingable lid 6|, the lug 84 having a terminal 85 normally spaced from the bottom face 86 of the swingable lid. By this arrangement the horn ring may be rotated without obstruction even though a portion 81 of the hub thereof when actuated overlaps a portion of the closure lid and ultimately strikes the inclined stop face 81' of terminal 85.

Having withdrawn a cigarette from the receptacle of the casing the lid thereof may be readily swung to its closed position and against the resistance of the spring arm 18 to be ultimately interlocked with the pivoted latch 46, thus keeping the closure lid closed until the horn ring is again actuated rotatably. In instances where it is desired to emanate a sound signal the horn ring may be conveniently depressed for tilting bearing 2| against the resistance of the spring 23 for actuating suitable electrically controlled mechanism not shown but well known in the art, the depressible bearing or horn rim carrying support 2| being normally held in an elevated and non-sounding position by spring 23.

Bythe arrangement herein disclosed, the movable ring or sound actuating means may be conveniently utilized for a double function, namely, for rendering accessible cigarettes within the receptacle of the casing 30 and for actuating the desired sounding equipment. Moreover the location of the arcuate article carrier or casing 30 is at all times within convenient and easy reach of the operator without causingdistraction while driving.

Various changes may be made in details of construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacriflcing any of the advantages thereof inherent therein.

I claim:

1. In combination, a support, a casing sustained by said support, means at least in part simulating a ring rotatably guided relative to said support and casing and at least in part spaced from and surrounding said casing, a movable closure connected to said casing for renderingthe interior of said casing accessible or inaccessible, and locking means controlled by said ring for disenga-geably locking said closure.

2. In combination, a support, a casing sustained by said support and having a compartment, means at least in part simulating a ring having a hub rotatably guided by said support and easing, a movable closure connected to said casing, locking means within said casing and outside of said compartment, and means carried by said hub and cooperating with said locking means upon rotation of said ring to disengageably interlock said locking means with said closure.

3. In combination, a support, an actuator movably guided relative to said support, a casing having spaced guide openings, abutment means projecting from said actuator into one of said guide openings, a pin projecting from said actuator into another of said openings, a latch pivoted within said casing and cooperating with said abutment means, a spring within said casing and connected to said pin for resisting displacement of said actuator relative to said casing and support, a shiftable cover carried by said casing and having means for disengageably interlocking with said latch in the closed relation of said cover, said actuator upon application of finger pressure thereon adapted to be displaced relative to said support and said casing whereby said abutment means shifts said latch to disengage the latter from said cover, and spring means operable to automatically shift said cover away from' said casing upon disengagement of said latch therefrom.

4. In combination a support, an actuator rotatably guidedrelative to said support, a casing having spaced guide opening, abutment means projecting from said'actuator into one of said guide openings, a. pin projecting from said actuator into another of said openings, a latch pivoted within said casing and displaceable by said abutment means upon rotation of said actuator relative to said support and casing, a spring within said casing and connected to said pin for resisting rotary displacement of said actuator relative to said casing and support, a pivoted cover carried by said casing and having means for disengageably interlocking with said latch in the closed relative of said cover, said actuator upon rotation upon application of finger pressure thereon adapted to be displaced relative to said support and said casing whereby said abutment means shifts said latch to disengage the latter from said cover, and spring means operable to automatically shift said cover away from said casing upon disengagement of said latch therefrom.

5. In combination, a support, an actuator reciprocably guided relative to said support, a casing having a bottom wall including spaced guide openings, abutment means carried by and projecting from said actuator into one of said guide openings, 9. pin secured to and projecting from said actuator into another of said openings, a latch pivoted within said casing and cooperating with abutment means, a spring within said casing and connected to said pin for resisting displacement of said actuator relative to said casing and support, spring means for urging said latch in one direction, a swingable cover carried by said casing and having means for disengagea-bly and automatically interlocking with said latch in the closed relation of said cover, said actuator upon application of finger pressure thereon adapted to be displaced relative to said support and said casing whereby said abutment means shifts said latch against the resistance of said spring means to disengage said latch from said cover, and spring means operable to automati cally shift said cover away from said casing upon disengagement of said latch therefrom.

6. In combination, a support, means at least in part simulatin a ring having a hub rotatably guided relative to said support, a casing having a bottom wall including spaced arcuate guide openings, abutment means projecting from said ring into one of said guide openings, a pin projecting from said ring into another of said openings, a latch pivoted within said casing and co operating with said abutment means, a spring within said casing and connected to said pin for resisting rotary displacement of said ring relativ to said casing and support, a shiftable cover carried by said casing and having means for disengageably interlocking with said latch in the closed relation of said cover, said ring upon application of finger pressure thereon adapted to be rotatably displaced in one direction relative to said support and said casing whereby said abutment means shifts said latch to disengage the latter from said cover, and spring means operable to automatically shift said cover away from said casing upon disengagement of said latch therefrom.-

7. In combination, a support, a segmental ring having a hub rotatably guided by said support,-

a casing seated on said hub and secured to said support and having a bottom wall including spaced arcuate guide openings, abutment means projecting from said ring into one of said guide openings, 9. pin projecting from said ring into another of said openings, a, latch pivoted within said casing and cooperating with abutment means, a spring within said casing and connected to said pin for resisting displacement of said ring relative to said casing and support, a, shiftable cover carried by said casing and having means for disengageably interlocking with said latch in the closed relation of said cover, said ring upon application of finger pressure thereon adapted to be displaced relative to said support and said casing whereby said abutment means shifts said latch to disengage the latter from said cover, and spring means operable to automatically shift said cover away from said casing upon disengagement of said latch therefrom.

8. In combination, a support, an actuator in part at least surrounding and movably guided by said support, a casing seated on said actuator and secured to said support and having a wall including spaced guide openings, abutment means projecting from said actuator into one of said guide openings, a pin projecting from said actuator into another of said openings, a latch pivoted within said casing and cooperating with said abutment means, a spring within said casing and connected to said pin for resisting displacement of said actuator relative to said casing and support, a shiftable cover carried by said casing and having means for disengageably interlocking with said latch in the closed relation of said cover, said actuator upon application of finger pressure thereon adapted to be displaced in one direction relative to said support and said casing whereby said abutment means shifts said latch to disengage the latter from said cover and whereby said spring becomes distended, and spring means operable to automatically shift said cover away from said casing upon disengagement of said latch therefrom, said actuator upon removal of said finger pressure automatically retracting in a direction counter to said first mentioned direction upon the release of energy of said spring, and means to limit said retraction.

9. In combination, a support, a segmental ring in part at least surrounding and rotatably guided relative to said support, a casing having a wall including spaced guide openings, abutment means projecting from said ring into one of said guide openings, a pin projecting from said actuator into another of said openings, a latch pivoted within said casing and adapted to be actuated by said abutment means, a spring within said casing and connected to said pin for resisting rotatable displacement of said ring relative to said casing and support, a shiftable cover carried by said casing and having means for disengageably interlocking with said latch-in the closed relation of said cover, said ring upon application of finger pressure thereon adapted to be displaced in one direction relative to said support and said casing whereby said abutment means shifts said latch to disengage the latter from said cover and whereby said spring becomes distended, spring means operable to automatically shift said cover away from said casing upon disengagement of said latch therefrom, said ring upon removal of said finger pressure automatically retracting in a direction counter to said first mentioned direction upon the release of energy of said spring, and means to limit said retraction.

10. In combination, a support, an actuator in part at least surrounding and movably guided by said support, a casing seated ontsaid actuator and secured to said support and having a bottom wall including spaced guide openings, abutment means projecting from said actuator into one of said guide openings, a pin projecting from said actuator into another of said openings, a latch pivoted within said casing and cooperating with said abutment means, a spring within said casing and connected to said pin for resisting displacement of said actuator relative to said casing and support, a shiftable cover carried by said casing and having means for disengageably interlocking with said latch in the closed relation of said cover, said actuator upon application of finger pressure thereon adapted to be displaced in clockwise direction relative to said support and said casing for arranging a portion of said actuator at least in part in overlapping relation with said cover, spring means operable to automatically shift said cover away from said casing upon disengagement of said latch therefrom, said actuator upon removal of said finger pressure automatically retracting in a counterclockwise direction upon the release of energy of said spring to remove said overlapped relation, and means to limit said retraction.

11. In combination, a support, an actuator movably guided by said support, a casing seated on said actuator and secured to said support and having spaced guide openings, abutment means projecting from said actuator into one of said guide openings, a pin projecting from said actuator into another of said openings, a latch pivoted within said easing and cooperating with said abutment means, a spring within said casing and connected to said pin for resisting displacement of said actuator relative to said casing and support, a shiitable cover carried by said casing and having means for disengageably interlocking with said latch in the closed relation of said cover, said actuator upon application ofv finger pressure thereon adapted to be displaced relative to said support and said casing whereby said abutment means shifts said latch to disengage the latter from said cover, and spring means operable to automatically shift said cover away from said casing upon disengagement of said latch therefrom;

12. In combination, a spring controlled depressible support, an actuator movably guided by said support, a casing seated on said actuator and secured to said support and having spaced guide openings, abutment means projecting from said actuator into one of said guide openings, a pin projecting from said actuator into another of said openings, a latch pivoted within said casing and cooperating with said abutment means, a spring within said casing and connected to said pin for resisting displacement of said actuator relative to. said casing and support, a shiftable cover carried by said casing and having means for disengageably interlocking with,"

said latch in the closed relation of said cover, said actuator upon application of finger pressure thereon adapted to be displaced relative to said depressible support and said casing whereby said abutment means shifts said latch to disenmounted on a steering post and adapted to be encompassed by the rim of a steering wheel, a casing mounted on said support, a movable closure connected to said casing, a ring shaped actuator having an inner hub shiftably guided relative to said support and movable relative to said casing and rim, movable latch means carried by said casing for holding said closure against said casing, means extending from said actuator into said casing and rendered efi'ective upon shifting of said actuator for displacing said latch means to be free of said closure, and spring means operable to lift said closure automatically pursuant to freeing of said latch means from said closure.

- 14. In combination, a support adapted to be mounted at one .end of a steering post' and adapted to be encompassed by-the rim of a steering wheel, a casing mounted on said support; a closure pivotally connected to said casing, a rotatable ring shaped member having an inner hub rotatably guided relative to said support and relative to said casing and rim, movable latch means carried by and within said casing for disengageably interlocking with said closure for holding said'closure against said casing, means extending from said actuator into said casing to unlock said latch means from said'closure, and spring means efiective on unlocking of said latch for swinging said closure away from said casing.

15. In combination, a support adapted to be mounted at the upper end of a steering post and adapted to be encompassed by the rim of a steering wheel, an article holding casing mounted on said support, a movable closure connected to 7 said casing, an actuator having a hub rotatably guided by said support and displaceable relative to said casing and post, a latch pivotally carried by said casing for disengageably holding said closure against said casing, means extending from said actuator into said casing for displacing said latch to be free of and disengaged from said closure upon rotation of said actuator relativeto said support, and spring means for lifting said cover pursuant to disengagement of said latch from said closure.

16. In combination, a support adapted to be mounted at the upper end of a steering post and adapted to be encompassed by the rim of a steering wheel, a casing mounted on said support, a movable closure connected to said casing, an actuator having an inner hub rotatabiy guided by said support and displaceable relative to said casing and rim, spring controlled movable latch means carried by said casing for disengageably interlocking with said closure for holding said closure against said casing, means extending from said actuator into said casing for displaclng said latch means to be free of said closure, spring means to automatically lift said closure upon rotation of said actuator relative to said support, and spring means for resisting said rotation of said actuator and for retracting said actuator pursuant to said rotation.

17. In combination, a support, a casing sus-" tained by said support and including bearing means and having a compartment, substantially ring shaped actuator means at least in part surrounding said casing and having a hub rotatably guided by and surrounding said bearing means, a spring controlled movable closure connected to said casing, a latch within said casing adapted to removably lock said closure, and control means carried by said actuator means and extending within said casing and bodily movable with said actuator means and cooperating to disengage said latch from said closure upon displacement of said actuator means relative to said closure prior to lifting of the latter in a direction away from said compartment.

18. In combination, a casing adapted to be mounted substantially within the limits of the rim of a steering wheel and having bearing means, a spring controlled cover movably connected to said casing, spring controlled latch means pivoted within said casing and removably-interlocking with said cover, and rotary means simulating a part of a ring outside of and at least in part spatially surrounding said casing and having a hub rotatably guided by said bearing means and displaceable relative to said rim for actuating said latch means to automatically unlock said'latch means from said cover.

19pm combination, a casing adapted 'to be mounted substantially within the limits of the rim of a steering wheel and having concentrically arranged bearing means, a spring controlled cover swingably connected to said'casing,-spring controlled latchmeans pivoted to said casing and removably interlocking with said cover to hold said casing closed, and substantially ring shaped shiftable means having a hub rotatably'gu -ied by said bearing means, means carried bysaid hub for operating said pivoted latch means'to unlocis said cover, and means to limit rotary displacement of said ring shaped-shiftable means relative to said wheel.

20. In combination, a casing adapted to be mounted at the upper end of a steering post and within the limits of the rim of a steering wheel and having bearing means, a cover pivotally connected to said casing, spring means for normally urging said cover away from said casing, spring controlled latch means movably connected to said casing and removably interlocking with said cover to hold said casing closed, a ring shaped member having a rim. spaced from and surrounding said casing and having a hub rotatably guided by said bearing means, and means bodily movable with said hub for actuating said latch means upon displacement of said ring shaped member for automatically disengaging said latch means from said cover.

21. In combination, a casing adapted to be mounted at the upper end of a. steering post and substantially within the limits of the rim of a steering wheel and having bearing means, a cover movably connected to and at the upper end of said casing, spring means for normally urging said cover away from said casing, spring controlled latch means movably connected to said casing and removably interlocking with said cover to removablyhold said casing closed, a ring shaped member having a; rim spaced from said wheel and casing and in part at least surrounding the latter and having a hub rotatably guided by said bearing means, abutment means bodily pi yotedwithin said casing and removably interlocking with said cover to hold said casing closed,

"a ring shaped member spaced from and surrounding said casing and having a hub closely surrounding and rotatably guided by said bearing means, a pin extending from' said hub into said 'casing foractuating said latch means to automatically unlock said latch means from said cover upon displacement of said ring shaped member relative to said bearing means to automatically tilt said cover away from said casingto render the interior of the latter accessible, a post procally unlock said cover upondisplacementof said ring shaped member relative to said bearing means to automatically tilt said cover awayi'rom said casing to render the interior of the latter ac'cessible,a post projecting from said hub into said casing, and a spring connected to said post and casing to resist rotary displacement of said ring shaped member relative to said casing.

24. In combination, a support adapted to be positioned on a steering post and adapted to be at least in part encompassed by the limo! a steering wheel, a ring shaped member having a =jectihg ir'om said hub into said casing, and 'a 6 spring connected to said post-and casing to-r'esist rotary displacement oi! said ring shaped member relative to said casing.

23. In combination, a casing adapted to be mounted at the upper endoia steering post and disposed axially of-th'e annular rim of a steeringwheel and having concentric bearing means, a spring controlled cover pivotally connected to and at the upper end of said casing, spring controlled latch means having an intermediate portion pivoted within said casing and having a terminal portion removably interlocking with said cover to an holdsaid casing closedand having a tail portion,

"a ring shaped member spaced from and at least in part surrounding said casing and having a hubclosely surrounding and rotatably guided by said bearing means, 'apin extending from said hub into said casing for actuating said tail portionior' operating said latch means to automatirim spaced from said wheel and having an inner concentrically arranged hub, a casingsustaine'd by said support, bearing 'means for rotatably guiding 'said hub, a latch carried by said casing, abutment means projecting from said actuator for operating said latch, a spring resisting displacement of said actuator relative to said casing and support, a shiftable cover carried by said cas- FRANK N. MARIANI. 

